Roman Empire600 BC - 500 ADSadie and Dylan"All comparisons between America's current place in the world and anything legitimately called an empire in the past reveal ignorance and confusion about any reasonable meaning of the concept empire, especially the comparison with the Roman Empire." -Donald Kagan
Ancient Roman Writing
Map of the Roman Empire
OverviewThe beginning of Rome relates back to an old myth about twin brothers. Romulus and Remus were left in a basket by their mother to float down a river. They twins were found on the banks of the river by a she wolf who nursed them until they were older. Romulus started out Rome by bulding his own village on Palatine Hill. When the people called for a leader, the two brothers fought to the death, with Romulus coming out alive. Rome was then named after Romulus and began its great rule. The Roman Empire was built on seven hills along the Tiber River. This location gave Rome many advantages. It quickly became the center for trade routes and a decent place for people to settle. The hills and mountains surrounding all of Rome gave it an amazing defensive advantage. Anyone that attacked the empire would have to climb hills to attack. Arrows would be shot down at any approaching enemies. Those who actually made it to the top, now weak and tired, would then have to fight the archers. The area also contained fertile soil so the farming was good and food was abundant. For the Roman Empire, there were three different social classes. The highest ranking people were the patricians. They were the wealthy, land owning aristocrats who ran the government by being apart of the senate. The middle class, or plebian class, was made up of the common people. They were craftspeople, farmers, artisans, and merchants. The plebians created a group known as the Assembly of Tribes so they could have a say in their rights and the government. Men from both of these groups could vote but only the patricians could be elected to government offices. The lowest ranking social class made up of slaves. People were made slaves in a few different ways. During battle, anyone who was captured or surrendered would be brought back to Rome and made a slave. Those who had some sort of debt could also become slaves for others. Some slaves would become gladiators that could work for their freedom by winning battles. People
Romulus- He was one of the twins, Romulus and Remus, supposedly raised by wolves. He built his village on Palatine Hill. Rome was named after him.
Julius Caesar- He was Rome's greatest General. As an act of war, he crossed the Rubicon with his entire army and took control of Rome.
Marcus Aurelius- Known as the "Last of the Good Emperors," he defended the Roman Empire against invasion from the barbarians.
Cleopatra- She was the mistress of Julius Caesar and married Marc Anthony. Eventually, she and Marc Anthony committed suicide by snake and sword, respectively.
Commodus- This man started the fall of Rome. He caused a lot of inflation and raised the taxes of the empire.
Terms
Senate- This was Rome's legislative body. It consisted of Patricians, the aristocrats.
Consuls- These were two officials from the Senate that administrated over the laws of Rome.
Patricians- These were the wealthy landowners. They were aristocrats and controlled the government because they made up a more powerful legislative branch than the commoners.
Plebeians- These were the common people, the farmers, artisans, and merchants. They controlled the Assembly of Tribes.
Twelve Tables- This was the first written law code of Rome.
Links
Click here for an explanation of the Roman senate and its history:
Click here for an explanation for the architecture, life, and gladiators of the colosseum:
Click here for a list and explanation of famous Romans:
Click here for reasons for when and why the Roman Empire fell:
Ancient Roman Writing
Map of the Roman Empire
Roman Architecture
Julius Caesar, one of Rome's Emperors
Marcus Aurelius
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Overview The beginning of Rome relates back to an old myth about twin brothers. Romulus and Remus were left in a basket by their mother to float down a river. They twins were found on the banks of the river by a she wolf who nursed them until they were older. Romulus started out Rome by bulding his own village on Palatine Hill. When the people called for a leader, the two brothers fought to the death, with Romulus coming out alive. Rome was then named after Romulus and began its great rule. The Roman Empire was built on seven hills along the Tiber River. This location gave Rome many advantages. It quickly became the center for trade routes and a decent place for people to settle. The hills and mountains surrounding all of Rome gave it an amazing defensive advantage. Anyone that attacked the empire would have to climb hills to attack. Arrows would be shot down at any approaching enemies. Those who actually made it to the top, now weak and tired, would then have to fight the archers. The area also contained fertile soil so the farming was good and food was abundant. For the Roman Empire, there were three different social classes. The highest ranking people were the patricians. They were the wealthy, land owning aristocrats who ran the government by being apart of the senate. The middle class, or plebian class, was made up of the common people. They were craftspeople, farmers, artisans, and merchants. The plebians created a group known as the Assembly of Tribes so they could have a say in their rights and the government. Men from both of these groups could vote but only the patricians could be elected to government offices. The lowest ranking social class made up of slaves. People were made slaves in a few different ways. During battle, anyone who was captured or surrendered would be brought back to Rome and made a slave. Those who had some sort of debt could also become slaves for others. Some slaves would become gladiators that could work for their freedom by winning battles.
People
Terms
Links